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Pasta with Spinach Pesto Sauce

Pasta with Spinach Pesto Sauce

Name: Pasta with Spinach Pesto Sauce
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 -6 servings
Ingredients: 16 ounces fresh spinach, washed and chopped; 6 ounces low-fat, firm silken tofu; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; ⅛ cup low-sodium chicken broth; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 10 ounces fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced; 6 ounces fresh sliced shiitake mushrooms; ½ cup diced red onion; ¼ cup bacon bits; 1 pound penne pasta

Rating: 3.97 stars

73 Ratings
56 Reviews
10 Photos

A healthy, low-fat alternative to high-fat pesto sauce. Can also be made with basil or cilantro.

By Sheila Martin

Gallery

Recipe Summary

prep:

30 mins

cook:

15 mins

total:

45 mins

Servings:

Yield:

4 -6 servings

Nutrition Info

Directions

Step 1

Cook pasta according to package directions.

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Step 2

While pasta is cooking, in food processor or blender, combine spinach, tofu, lemon juice, garlic, broth, cheese, pepper, and Italian seasoning, process until smooth. Set aside.
Step 3

Spray a large non-stick saute pan with cooking spray. Over medium heat, cook onions and mushrooms until tender. Reduce heat to low, add pesto mixture and heat until hot.
Step 4

Toss pasta with sauce and bacon bits. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired. NOTE: If sauce seems too thick, thin to desired consistency with pasta cooking water or broth.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

451 calories; protein 25.2g; carbohydrates 76.7g; fat 6.5g; cholesterol 11.1mg; sodium 416.6mg. Full Nutrition

Reviews (56)

Most helpful positive review

JuliaKid

08/25/2008

I made a few changes to this and liked the results. Used only 12 oz whole wheat pasta added the garlic and 1 T olive oil to the onions and mushrooms rather than in the food processor. I used vegetable broth and "baco bits" to maintain the vegetarian nature of the dish. Also added about 1 tsp salt and a good handful of fresh basil leaves to the pesto. My husband said I should put this one on the "keeper" list and make it again. Read More

Helpful

(62)

Most helpful critical review

MIASMAMA

12/10/2004

a very healthy alternative to pesto (spinach is so good for you) but not exactly the same thing. I liked it as a spinach sauce-type thing but a pesto it is not... Read More

Helpful

(14)

73 Ratings

5 star values: 38
4 star values: 12
3 star values: 10
2 star values: 9
1 star values: 4

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

JuliaKid

08/24/2008

Helpful

(62)

Ellen

02/09/2004

A great healthy alternative. It was really good but the recipe says "firm silken tofu". It should possibly say "firm or silken". Also perhaps frozen spinach would work too? Will try this again! Read More

Helpful

(51)

GINNYG

08/29/2002

Excellent recipe! Healthy and very tasty. I would cut the amount of pasta down next time to have more sauce. Read More

Helpful

(37)

juxtacoot

09/26/2003

I didn't have tofu on hand but it's excellent without it as well.. My husband even loved it and that man doesn't like ANYTHING.:) Read More

Helpful

(31)

XPOKEYX

01/11/2005

I just made the sauce itself - left out chicken broth and all the mushrooms. It was amazing. It tasted like it was very bad for you when in fact it is very healthy. five stars! Read More

Helpful

(21)

SHAWZUKI

01/02/2004

Healthy green and wholesome. With just the right kick of garlic. I added more broth and some milk to smooth out the pesto. You might expand the pesto recipe a little to balance out with the amount of pasta (or save the pasta for another sauce later). Frozen spinach ("brick spinach") worked just fine. My dad ate it up!! Ha ha... I'm slowly but surely converting my family to vegetarianism... Read More

Helpful

(19)

Jessica Clark

01/20/2003

This was good. I think 1 lb of pasta was too much or there should've been more sauce. My hubby ate it up then I told him about the tofu. He couldn't believe it! Yummy! Read More

Helpful

(15)

MIASMAMA

12/10/2004

a very healthy alternative to pesto (spinach is so good for you) but not exactly the same thing. I liked it as a spinach sauce-type thing but a pesto it is not... Read More

Helpful

(14)

Nancy

07/12/2004

Not as good as everyone made it out to be. Try Suki's Spinach and Feta Pasta...so much better and half the mess. Read More

Helpful

(12)

More Reviews

Back to Pasta with Spinach Pesto Sauce

All Reviews for Pasta with Spinach Pesto Sauce

- of Reviews

Pasta with Spinach Pesto Sauce

Servings Per Recipe: 5
Calories: 450.8

% Daily Value *

protein: 50 %

carbohydrates: 25 %

dietary fiber: 26 %

sugars:

fat: 10 %

saturated fat: 12 %

cholesterol: 4 %

vitamin a iu: 169 %

niacin equivalents: 79 %

vitamin b6: 25 %

vitamin c: 53 %

folate: 47 %

calcium: 22 %

iron: 36 %

magnesium: 46 %

potassium: 26 %

sodium: 17 %

thiamin: 15 %

calories from fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for: Photos of Pasta with Spinach Pesto Sauce

1 of 56

All Reviews

JuliaKid

08/24/2008

Helpful

(62)

Ellen

02/09/2004

A great healthy alternative. It was really good but the recipe says "firm silken tofu". It should possibly say "firm or silken". Also perhaps frozen spinach would work too? Will try this again!

Helpful

(51)

GINNYG

08/29/2002

Excellent recipe! Healthy and very tasty. I would cut the amount of pasta down next time to have more sauce.

Helpful

(37)

juxtacoot

09/26/2003

I didn't have tofu on hand but it's excellent without it as well.. My husband even loved it and that man doesn't like ANYTHING.:)

Helpful

(31)

XPOKEYX

01/11/2005

I just made the sauce itself - left out chicken broth and all the mushrooms. It was amazing. It tasted like it was very bad for you when in fact it is very healthy. five stars!

Helpful

(21)

SHAWZUKI

01/02/2004

Helpful

(19)

Jessica Clark

01/20/2003

This was good. I think 1 lb of pasta was too much or there should've been more sauce. My hubby ate it up then I told him about the tofu. He couldn't believe it! Yummy!

Helpful

(15)

MIASMAMA

12/10/2004

a very healthy alternative to pesto (spinach is so good for you) but not exactly the same thing. I liked it as a spinach sauce-type thing but a pesto it is not...

Helpful

(14)

Nancy